Mechanism of Catalytic Alkylation of 2,6-di-tert-Butylphenol by Methyl Acrylate
The determining factor of the reaction of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol with alkaline metal hydroxides is temperature, depending on which two types of potassium or sodium 2,6-di-tert-butyl phenoxides are formed with different catalytic activity in the alkylation of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol with methyl acrylate. More active forms of 2,6-But2C6H3OK or 2,6-But2C6H3ONa are synthesized at temperatures higher than 433 K and represent predominantly monomers of 2,6-di-tert-butyl phenoxides producing dimers on cooling.